Patents Issued in December 21, 2017
  • Publication number: 20170363090
    Abstract: An axial flow compressor comprises a tubular casing which encases a rotatable shaft, a pair of rotor segments coupled to the rotatable shaft and each comprising a bladed disc, and a banded stator segment disposed between the pair of rotor segments and comprising a plurality of stator vanes extending between an outer flowpath ring and an inner flowpath ring. A method of assembling an axial flow compressor comprises installing a rotor segment inside a tubular compressor casing, installing a vane segment adjacent the installed rotor segment, and repeating the steps of installing a rotor segment and vane segment until a desired number of rotor segment and vane segment pairs are installed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 21, 2016
    Publication date: December 21, 2017
    Applicants: Rolls-Royce Corporation, Rolls-Royce North American Technologies Inc.
    Inventors: Douglas D. Dierksmeier, Edward C. Rice, Ryan C. Humes
  • Publication number: 20170363091
    Abstract: Provided is a regenerative blower. According to an illustrative embodiment of the present invention, the regenerative blower comprises an impeller comprising a plurality of blades disposed spaced apart in the circumferential direction, wherein, in the plurality of blades, each blade gap is arranged at an incremental angle (??i).
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 2, 2015
    Publication date: December 21, 2017
    Applicant: KOREA INSTITUTE OF INDUSTRIAL TECHNOLOGY
    Inventors: Kyoung-Yong LEE, Young Seok CHOI, Jin Hyuk KIM, Uk Hee JUNG
  • Publication number: 20170363092
    Abstract: HVLP (High Velocity Low Pressure) motor-driven fans and other types of fans, blowers and vacuums include one or more features for minimizing vibration and eliminating other causes of fan or motor failure. Examples of such features include a fan blade with a particularly short tail section, a fan wheel spacer with a counterbore in an axial face of the spacer, and a small boss or thin shim adjacent to a screw that clamps an assembly of stator laminations between two motor brackets. The tail section, being relatively short, resists bending during high speed rotation, thereby preventing vibration. The counterbore in the spacer provides the spacer with resilience for maintaining an axial clamping force even as part dimensions change due to thermal expansion. The boss or shim allows the screw to tightly clamp the stator laminations without cracking either of the motor brackets.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 12, 2016
    Publication date: December 21, 2017
    Inventors: Scott C. Mancl, Dennis J. Mancl
  • Publication number: 20170363093
    Abstract: A system and apparatus for a ceiling fan electronics assembly including a housing with an interior for housing an electrical system. The electrical system can provide a supply of power to the ceiling fan as well as interpret electrical instruction signals for controlling the operation of the ceiling fan.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 14, 2017
    Publication date: December 21, 2017
    Inventor: Phillip Santolucito
  • Publication number: 20170363094
    Abstract: A fan assembly is provided. The fan assembly includes a fan, a fan casing circumscribing the fan, and a fan casing heating system in thermal communication with the fan casing. The fan includes a hub, and a plurality of fan blades extending from the hub. Each fan blade of the plurality of fan blades terminates at a respective blade tip. A clearance gap is defined between the fan casing and the blade tips. The fan casing heating system is configured to apply heat to the fan casing when the fan is operating in a first operational mode, and remove the applied heat when the fan transitions into a second operational mode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 15, 2016
    Publication date: December 21, 2017
    Inventors: Hemanth Gudibande Sathyakumar Kumar, Bhaskar Nanda Mondal, Thomas Ory Moniz
  • Publication number: 20170363095
    Abstract: A system for controlling operation of first and second electric fans is provided. The system includes a microcontroller that determines when first analog multiplexer is malfunctioning or a first channel of the first analog-to-digital converter is malfunctioning based on first values obtained from the first analog-to-digital converter. The first values are associated with at least one of a first speed signal associated with the first electric fan and a first driving voltage for the first electric fan that are received by the first analog multiplexer. The microcontroller modifies a control signal to induce the second electric fan to operate at a higher rotational speed when the first analog multiplexer is malfunctioning or the first channel of the first analog-to-digital converter is malfunctioning.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 25, 2016
    Publication date: December 21, 2017
    Inventors: Kerfegar K. Katrak, Kunal Tipnis, Michael B. Mero
  • Publication number: 20170363096
    Abstract: A method of a control system (2200) controls an inductance motor in a blower including an impeller and volute using a pressure compensation control system. The control system may be implemented in a respiratory pressure therapy device. The control system may include a sensor configured to provide a pressure signal indicative of the pressure of a flow of fluid produced by the blower. A measured pressure may be compared to a set pressure to determine a pressure error. A slip frequency may be adjusted as a function of the pressure error in an attempt to eliminate or minimise the pressure error.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 16, 2015
    Publication date: December 21, 2017
    Applicant: ResMed Motor Technologies Inc.
    Inventors: David James Fleming, Michael Grunberg, Aleksandr S. Nagorny, Siavash Sadeghi
  • Publication number: 20170363097
    Abstract: A fan module includes a first casing, a driving motor disposed in the first casing, a first rotor connected to the first driving motor, a second casing, a second rotor pivotally configured in the second casing, at least one guiding member and a shift apparatus connected to the first casing and the second casing, the first rotor includes a first rotating shaft and a plurality of first blades, the second rotor includes a second rotating shaft and a plurality of second blades, the guiding member is disposed on the first blade and the second blade. The whole height of the blade is adjusted by adjusting the distance between the two group blades, then the efficiency of the fan is improved effectively to optimize the noise level and the air flow.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 9, 2017
    Publication date: December 21, 2017
    Inventors: Hsin-Chen Lin, Ing-Jer Chiou
  • Publication number: 20170363098
    Abstract: A gas turbine engine includes a main engine compressor section. A booster compressor changing a pressure of airflow received from the main engine compressor section to a pressure desired for a pneumatic system. The booster compressor operates at airflow conditions greater than a demand by the pneumatic system. A speed change system driving the booster compressor at speeds corresponding to a demand of the pneumatic system. A bleed air system for a gas turbine engine and a method of controlling engine bleed airflow are also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 20, 2016
    Publication date: December 21, 2017
    Inventors: Stephen H. Taylor, Charles E. Lents, Gabriel L. Suciu, Brian D. Merry, Jesse M. Chandler
  • Publication number: 20170363099
    Abstract: A gas turbine engine includes a main engine compressor section. A booster compressor changes a pressure of airflow received from the main engine compressor section to a pressure desired for a pneumatic system. The booster compressor is configured to operate at airflow conditions greater than a demand of the pneumatic system. An exhaust valve controls airflow between an exhaust outlet and an outlet passage to the pneumatic system. The exhaust valve is operable to exhaust airflow from the booster compressor in excess of the demand of the pneumatic system. A bleed air system for a gas turbine engine and a method of controlling engine bleed airflow are also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 20, 2016
    Publication date: December 21, 2017
    Inventors: Stephen H. Taylor, Charles E. Lents, Gabriel L. Suciu, Brian D. Merry, Jesse M. Chandler
  • Publication number: 20170363100
    Abstract: A bearing element for at least one adjustable guide vane of a turbomachine, in particular an aircraft engine, is provided. The bearing element comprising a porous matrix made of carbon and/or graphite and at least one metallic phase or a metal salt that is at least partially arranged inside the pores of the matrix, so that what results is a metal-infiltrated or a metal-salt-infiltrated material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 16, 2017
    Publication date: December 21, 2017
    Inventors: Bjorn ULRICHSOHN, Susanne SCHRUEFER, Karl SCHREIBER
  • Publication number: 20170363101
    Abstract: Provided is a vacuum pump having a stator disc having a divided structure, in which gaps or misalignments that occur between connection surfaces at which the divided structure is connected are reduced. In a turbo-molecular pump according to this embodiment, a mating relationship between a stator disc and a stator member for alignment (center-alignment) is opposite from that of the related art. Specifically, in a structure in which a base and the stator disc are fitted together, center alignment (positioning/centering) is performed through a structure in which an outer peripheral surface of the stator disc is held (restrained from an outer side) by an inner peripheral surface of the base to be connected thereto. Further, the mating structure of the stator disc includes an integral component. Moreover, the mating position of a stator blade and the mating position of the stator disc having a Siegbahn structure are provided separately.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 19, 2016
    Publication date: December 21, 2017
    Inventors: Yoshinobu Ohtachi, Yasushi Maejima, Tsutomu Takaada
  • Publication number: 20170363102
    Abstract: A shaft seal for an exhaust fan. The seal limits leakage from within an exhaust fan housing around an exhaust fan drive shaft that extends between a rotational power source exterior to the exhaust fan housing and a position within the exhaust fan housing. The seal comprises a plenum generally positioned about the exhaust fan drive shaft at the point where the shaft extends into the fan housing; an auxiliary blower comprising a housing, an internal blade driven by an auxiliary blower drive shaft, and an auxiliary blower drive to rotate the drive shaft where the auxiliary blower drive is operatively associated with the rotational power source such that operation of the rotational power sources causes a rotation of the exhaust fan drive shaft and the auxiliary blower drive shaft; and a duct fluidly connecting the auxiliary blower housing to the plenum.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 6, 2017
    Publication date: December 21, 2017
    Inventor: Paul Sixsmith
  • Publication number: 20170363103
    Abstract: Extracorporeal circuit devices can be used for on-pump open-heart surgery to support surgical procedures such as coronary artery bypass grafting. In some cases, a centrifugal pump is used as part of an extracorporeal circuit. Centrifugal pump heads are described herein that induce flow on two sides of an impeller plate, and that can be conveniently mechanically assembled.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 20, 2016
    Publication date: December 21, 2017
    Inventors: Timothy John Canatella, Gregory Peter Muennich, Luke Powers
  • Publication number: 20170363104
    Abstract: A composite rotatable assembly for an axial flow compressor comprises a spool having a plurality of blade assemblies arranged in stages on the spool and attached thereto by a wound band. Each blade assembly comprises a blade and a base, with the base having a forward tang extending axially forward of a leading edge of the blade and an aft tang extending axially aft of a trailing edge of the blade. The band is wound over at least a portion of the forward and aft tangs of the plurality of blade assemblies to hold the blade assemblies to the spool under centrifugal loading. An abradable layer may be added over the wound band.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 15, 2017
    Publication date: December 21, 2017
    Applicant: Rolls-Royce North American Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Edward C. Rice
  • Publication number: 20170363105
    Abstract: An apparatus includes a fan having a fan housing with guidance members extending from opposing sides of the housing, wherein the fan housing has a depth that is less than a height and width. A handle is pivotably coupled to the fan housing, and guidance tracks are positioned on opposing sides of an open channel. Each of the guidance tracks has a first track portion extending from a first face of a chassis in a first direction into the chassis and a second track portion extending from the first track portion in a second direction. The guidance members move along the corresponding guidance tracks, wherein the fan housing moves along the first track portion in a sideways orientation and reaches an operating orientation in the second track portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 15, 2016
    Publication date: December 21, 2017
    Inventors: Brian A. Trumbo, David J. Jensen, Alvin G. Davis, Mark S. Bohannon, Paul A. Wormsbecher
  • Publication number: 20170363106
    Abstract: An air moving device includes an outer casing comprising an outer diameter, an inner portion defining a flow path, an inlet portion defining an inlet cross-sectional area, and an opposing outlet portion defining an outlet cross-sectional area. A motor assembly is disposed within the outer casing, and a hub and blade assembly is secured to a shaft on the motor assembly. The air moving device further includes a de-swirl vane package. The package includes a plurality of de-swirl vanes disposed in the flow path. The blades are characterized by one or more resonant frequencies, and a potential excitation source of the blade resonant frequencies is a flow path obstruction comprising a plurality of objects substantially equally spaced about the circumference of the flow path. The flow path obstruction is characterized by a periodic frequency. The periodic frequency differs from the blade resonant frequencies by a safety margin of at least 20%.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 15, 2017
    Publication date: December 21, 2017
    Inventor: Kyle Berean
  • Publication number: 20170363107
    Abstract: An axial compressor comprises a plurality of compressor stages positioned axially adjacent within a casing. Each of the plurality of compressor stages comprise a rotor segment and a banded stator segment positioned axially adjacent the rotor segment. An annulus is formed between the casing and an outer flowpath ring of the stator segment. A pathway is provided that establishes an air flowpath between an entry pathway in a first stage and an exit pathway in a second stage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 19, 2016
    Publication date: December 21, 2017
    Applicant: Rolls-Royce North American Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Douglas D. Dierksmeier, Edward C. Rice, Ryan C. Humes
  • Publication number: 20170363108
    Abstract: An axial compressor comprises a plurality of compressor stages positioned axially adjacent one another within a casing. Each of the plurality of compressor stages comprise a rotor segment and a banded stator segment positioned axially adjacent the rotor segment. An annulus is formed between the casing and an outer flowpath ring of the stator segment. A vane of each stator segment comprises a member extending into the annulus.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 19, 2016
    Publication date: December 21, 2017
    Applicant: Rolls-Royce North American Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Douglas D. Dierksmeier, Edward C. Rice, Ryan C. Humes
  • Publication number: 20170363109
    Abstract: In an electric motor-driven oil pump assembly for use with an engine in a vehicle, such as with an automatic engine-stop system in which an electric motor-driven oil pump is driven by an electric motor for hydraulic pressure supply to a transmission or engine of an automotive vehicle, at least in a stopped state of a mechanical oil pump driven by the engine, a controller for operating the motor for controlling the oil pump is provided in a housing proximal the flowing oil fluid such that the flowing oil fluid maintains the temperature of the controller below a predetermined temperature to avoid failure of the electronic components of the controller.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 5, 2017
    Publication date: December 21, 2017
    Inventors: Liping Wang, Vladimir Vukas, Jianwen Li, Karthikeyan Ganesan
  • Publication number: 20170363110
    Abstract: HVLP (High Velocity Low Pressure) motor-driven fans and other types of fans, blowers and vacuums take advantage of different thermal and mechanical properties of dissimilar materials used in the motor-driven fans. The dissimilar materials include aluminum for a stacked arrangement of fan wheels and spacers, steel for a shaft that supports the fan wheels and spacers, and a polymeric adhesive. In some examples, the polymeric adhesive is trapped between the aluminum and steels parts. Compared to steel and aluminum, the adhesive has a relatively high coefficient of thermal expansion but relatively low strength such that thermal expansion of the adhesive exerts additional clamping pressure during startup and during high temperature operation. The additional clamping pressure reduces vibration and eliminates other causes of fan or motor failure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 12, 2016
    Publication date: December 21, 2017
    Inventors: Scott C. Mancl, Dennis J. Mancl
  • Publication number: 20170363111
    Abstract: An air filtration system is described that is suited for CBRN and ColPro applications, and has an integrated inertial particle separator (IPS) and scavenge fan blower as a pre-dust/particle filter, a variable speed fan blower, and a filter housing that mounts two gas-particulate filter sets. The variable speed fan blower, managed by a motor control unit and motor speed algorithm, automatically adjusts its speed to maintain constant air flow regardless of its altitude.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 16, 2017
    Publication date: December 21, 2017
    Applicant: Design West Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Ryan Hur, Bob Olson, Jeffrey Kim, Gary Chen, Ramesh Palanisamy
  • Publication number: 20170363112
    Abstract: Device for recovering hydraulic energy in a machine comprising at least a first differential cylinder-piston assembly having a differential cylinder with a separate rod and base side, at least a second differential cylinder-piston assembly having a differential cylinder with a separate rod and base side, and at least one hydraulic accumulator that can be hydraulically connected to at least one of the differential cylinder-piston assemblies, wherein the differential cylinder-piston assemblies are mechanically coupled to one another, and wherein the potential energy of at least one of the differential cylinder-piston assemblies retracting under a compressive load can at least partially be stored in the hydraulic accumulator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 14, 2017
    Publication date: December 21, 2017
    Inventors: Philipp HAHN, Volker GLINIORZ, Guillaume BONNETOT
  • Publication number: 20170363113
    Abstract: A variable pressure control system for varying pressures in the fluid circuits of a dual acting actuator over a range of pressures. The variable pressure control system includes a controller that cooperates with pressure regulators for regulating the desired pressure in the fluid circuits.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 1, 2017
    Publication date: December 21, 2017
    Inventors: Derek A. Sauder, Jeremy J. Hodel
  • Publication number: 20170363114
    Abstract: A pressure compensated load sense hydraulic system and method is disclosed where a first pressure compensated valve controls flow between a pump and a first function based on a highest function load; and a second pressure compensated valve controls flow between the pump and a second function based on the highest function load. First and second operator controls activate the first and second functions, respectively. When the first function is stalled and the second function is activated, the controller closes the first valve to remove the first function load from the load sense circuit and prevent flow to or from the first function. The controller can determine the first function is stalled when a timer exceeds an initialization period. When the controller closes the first valve, it can cycle the first valve between a shutoff period where the valve is closed, and a refresh period where the valve is opened.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 16, 2016
    Publication date: December 21, 2017
    Inventors: SCOTT STAHLE, Jonathan M. Takosky, Christopher Matthews
  • Publication number: 20170363115
    Abstract: The invention concerns a device for the direct recovery of hydraulic energy in a machine, comprising at least one single-acting storage cylinder-piston device with a storage cylinder, a storage cylinder-piston and a storage cylinder chamber, with at least one differential cylinder-piston device with a differential cylinder comprising a separate rod side and base side, and with at least one hydraulic accumulator, which may be connected to the storage cylinder-piston device and/or the differential cylinder-piston device, wherein the potential energy of the storage cylinder-piston device, which retracts under a compressive load, may be at least partially stored in the hydraulic accumulator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 14, 2017
    Publication date: December 21, 2017
    Inventors: Philipp HAHN, Volker GLINIORZ, Guillaume BONNETOT
  • Publication number: 20170363116
    Abstract: The present invention aims at providing a new electro-hydraulic control terminal adopting modularized and configured cartridge valve RHCV. It has obvious advantages of hybrid combination and flexible customization when RHCV is applied in the independent control terminals based on “single loop resistance” to control hydraulic actuators including distributed cylinders and motors. It can follow the rules that functional diversities as many as possible can be achieved through technical diversities as few as possible, thus producing a new generation of electro-hydraulic product family and platform to meet the needs of customers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 26, 2017
    Publication date: December 21, 2017
    Inventors: Renhao HUANG, Canxing SUN, Shenqi LOU
  • Publication number: 20170363117
    Abstract: The invention relates to a rotary actuator, converting actuator and method for producing rotation. The rotary actuator includes at least two rotation units for producing stepped angular displacements (Rs). The rotation unit includes a cylinder for producing linear movement (L) and a converter for converting the linear movement to rotation. The stepped rotary movements of the rotation units are transmitted by transmission elements to an output shaft.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 19, 2015
    Publication date: December 21, 2017
    Applicant: HYDROLINE OY
    Inventor: Manu LEINONEN
  • Publication number: 20170363118
    Abstract: A pneumatic controller includes a housing, a piston located in the housing and movable therein and a diaphragm located at the piston to isolate a first chamber of the pneumatic controller from a second chamber of the pneumatic controller. The diaphragm includes a first diaphragm surface, a diaphragm opening extending through the diaphragm, and a fabric reinforcing layer to strengthen the diaphragm. A diaphragm to isolate a first chamber of a pneumatic controller from a second chamber of a pneumatic controller includes a first diaphragm surface, a diaphragm opening extending through the diaphragm, and a fabric reinforcing layer to strengthen the diaphragm.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 17, 2016
    Publication date: December 21, 2017
    Inventors: Adam Faass, Robert DeFelice
  • Publication number: 20170363119
    Abstract: A hood lifting mechanism according to various implementations includes a housing and a piston. A distal end of the piston is urged away from a distal end of the housing to lift a hood upwardly away from a vehicle body in response to the vehicle hitting a pedestrian. To prevent the piston from rattling or moving within the housing while in a stored position, a portion of the piston and a portion of the housing form an interference fit in the stored position. A gas generator in fluid communication with a proximal end of the housing provides sufficient force to overcome the interference fit and urge the distal end of the piston out of the housing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 17, 2016
    Publication date: December 21, 2017
    Inventors: Jeremy Henck, Steven Rehak, Larry Wilmot, Rachid Hammoud
  • Publication number: 20170363120
    Abstract: A hydraulic assembly includes a barrel having a head port disposed proximate an end of the barrel, a piston assembly disposed within the barrel and movable relative thereto, the piston assembly including a bore terminating at a back wall, the bore defining a longitudinal axis, and a plunger at least partially received within the bore and translatable along the longitudinal axis. The plunger includes a main body having an end facing the head port, a shoulder extending radially-outwardly from the main body, and a passageway extending through the main body. A spring is disposed in a first region defined between the shoulder and the back wall, the spring configured to exert a biasing force on the shoulder.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 17, 2016
    Publication date: December 21, 2017
    Inventor: Francois Stander
  • Publication number: 20170363121
    Abstract: A hydraulic actuator to which a limit-adjustable mechanical lock device is applied, comprising: a housing having a first hole; side covers coupled at both sides of the housing, and having holder insertion holes formed to be opened toward the first hole side of the housing, and plugs; a first holder of which one side of the outer peripheral surface is inserted into the holder insertion hole at the plug side of the side cover by screw coupling; a second holder fitted and coupled to the inner peripheral surface of the side cover and having one end thereof screw-coupled to the second hole of the first holder; a locking means into which a rod is inserted so as to be movable in an axial direction at a predetermined distance across the second hole of the first holder and the third hole of the second holder.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 30, 2016
    Publication date: December 21, 2017
    Inventor: Yong Jun LEE
  • Publication number: 20170363122
    Abstract: An apparatus for recuperating hydraulic energy in a working machine includes at least one first differential cylinder piston device with a differential cylinder and separate rod and bottom sides, and at least one hydraulic accumulator which is hydraulically connectable with the differential cylinder piston device. The potential energy of the differential cylinder piston device retracting under pressing load is at least partly storable in the hydraulic accumulator. The rod and bottom sides are connectable with each other via at least one brake valve for recirculating hydraulic fluid from the bottom side into the rod side.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 15, 2017
    Publication date: December 21, 2017
    Inventors: Philipp HAHN, Volker GLINIORZ, Guillaume BONNETOT
  • Publication number: 20170363123
    Abstract: An anti-vibration fastening member may include a first fastening portion formed of an elastic material and comprising a shaft coupled to a shaft coupling hole provided at an actuator, and a second fastening portion integrated with the first fastening portion and comprising holding protrusions introduced into a mounting groove provided at a counterpart on which the actuator is mounted and then held by rotation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 2, 2016
    Publication date: December 21, 2017
    Applicant: Hyundai Motor Company
    Inventors: Minhyung Byun, Sung Hyung Jo, Yonghyuck Im, Soon-Ho Choi
  • Publication number: 20170363124
    Abstract: A fence panel coupler 10 comprises a first clamping member 12, a second clamping member 14 and clamping means to connect the first clamping member 12 to the second clamping member 14. The clamping means is arranged to enable the first clamping member 12 to be moved towardsor away from the second clamping member 14 in order for the fence panel coupler 10 to be releasably clamped to a fencing structure. In particular, the fence panel coupler 10 is arranged to secure a fence post (or pole) 20 of a first fence panel to an adjacent second post (or pole) 22 of a second fence panel. The present invention provides a fence panel coupler which can be operated by a single person located on one side of the perimeter fencing. The fence panel coupler 10 comprises a first clamping member 12 which is permanently attached to the second clamping member 14 such that the two clamping members 12, 14 cannot be released from each other. The fence panel coupler is therefore a self contained element with no detachable components.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 4, 2015
    Publication date: December 21, 2017
    Applicant: ASHE LIMITED
    Inventor: Robert Charles BROWN
  • Publication number: 20170363125
    Abstract: A fastening element (20) is provided for use with a tightening element (14) in a device for forming a joint between two panels (18,22). The fastening element is elongate and has a head (13) at one end for engaging the tightening element, an expander (15) at the other end and a shank (11) extending there between. The fastening element further comprises a sleeve (10) having an expandable section (16) at one end extending over the expander, with the expander operatively engaging the sleeve to cause outward movement of its expandable section upon axial displacement of the fastening element relative to the sleeve. The sleeve is provided with at least one outwardly facing cutting edge (19) on its expandable section. The cutting edge has sufficient strength to cut into the panel material in use of the device, when the expandable section is inserted into a face hole in a first one of the panels.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 11, 2015
    Publication date: December 21, 2017
    Inventors: Carlo Migli, William Ernest Taylor Vallance, Valter Svara, Robert Lukezic, Simon Krizman
  • Publication number: 20170363126
    Abstract: A mechanism and method for assembling a base to a piece of furniture is provided with at least two cam pieces having complimentary interlock mechanisms constructed and arranged to interlock one to another to form a cam. A plurality of interlock mechanisms may be provided, as well as a plurality of positioning elements on respective cam pieces.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 29, 2017
    Publication date: December 21, 2017
    Inventor: BILLY JOE GRIGGS, JR.
  • Publication number: 20170363127
    Abstract: A mechanism and method for quickly and easily interchanging various furniture bases with various furniture seats or seat boxes by means of an interlocking connection, such as a multi-part cam assembly. A furniture base can be quickly and easily detached from a particular seat box, and replaced by a different style of furniture base, by means of at least two cam or connector pieces having complimentary interlock mechanisms constructed and arranged to interlock one to another to form a cam or connector. A plurality of interlock mechanisms may be provided, as well as a plurality of positioning elements on respective cam pieces.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 29, 2017
    Publication date: December 21, 2017
    Inventor: BILLY JOE GRIGGS, JR.
  • Publication number: 20170363128
    Abstract: A connection element, in particular a setting bolt, for connecting at least two components, in particular metal sheet components, is disclosed. The connection element has a tapered region and a shaft region, the properties of which are different. The connection element is formed as one piece. A method for producing a connection element is also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 9, 2015
    Publication date: December 21, 2017
    Applicant: Daimler AG
    Inventors: Markus GRÖZINGER, Oliver GUSTKE, Daniel KOHL, Carsten SPIRA
  • Publication number: 20170363129
    Abstract: A connecting element, preferably for fastening a wheel, or rim, to a hub of a vehicle, includes a body having a respective outer perimeter surface which extends along a respective imaginary profile, in particular an imaginary circular profile, there being formed, at the perimeter surface, respective elements for the engagement of corresponding elements or tool for screwing and/or unscrewing the connecting element, and screw thread elements for fastening, preferably to the vehicle hub. The engagement elements include a plurality of perpendicularly extending and circumferentially distributed engagement troughs which are recessed relative to the imaginary outer profile and each being separated from the adjacent trough by a respective outer perimeter transit zone. The outer transit zone has a width (r) which is less than the width (i) of the trough, and in particular, a width (r) which is less than half the width of the trough.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 29, 2016
    Publication date: December 21, 2017
    Inventor: Ferdinando BADA
  • Publication number: 20170363130
    Abstract: Fasteners, drivers, and fastener systems constructed wherein example fasteners have driver engageable surfaces on or within a shank tip of the fastener. Example embodiments are included where at least one of the installation and removal surfaces are configured to define a segment of a spiral. Some example embodiments are also included where the installation and removal drive surfaces intersect an enlarged core diameter in an inner transitional surface that extends between the installation and removal surfaces of adjacent wings. Embodiments include fasteners with installation and removal drive surfaces on or within a shank tip of fasteners.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 7, 2017
    Publication date: December 21, 2017
    Inventors: Gary Dilling, Stefan Szczurek
  • Publication number: 20170363131
    Abstract: A method of installing a releasable shade membrane to a shade system is presented. The method comprises installing a tension release system within a structural component of the shade system. The tension release system comprises a threaded member configured to, when actuated, cause a coupling mechanism to move along an axis defined by the threaded member. The method also comprises coupling a shade membrane to the coupling mechanism. The method also comprises actuating the threaded member in a first direction, such that the coupling mechanism moves along the axis in a tensioning direction. The tension release system is configured to release applied tension upon actuation of the threaded member in a second direction, causing the coupling mechanism to move along the axis in a release direction. The release direction is substantially the reverse direction of the tensioning direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 7, 2017
    Publication date: December 21, 2017
    Inventor: Felipe Pena
  • Publication number: 20170363132
    Abstract: A barrel nut with features for reducing tensile stresses under heavy load within the barrel nut has a partial-cylindrical body having a first planar end surface and a second planar end surface. A threaded bore extends through the partial-cylindrical body with a central axis substantially parallel to the first planar end surface and the second planar end surface. At least one groove is formed in each of the first planar end surface and the second planar end surface, the groove having a rounded surface extending at least a part of a distance between a curved upper surface of the partial-cylindrical body to a bottom surface thereof in a direction substantially parallel to the central axis of the threaded bore.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 8, 2017
    Publication date: December 21, 2017
    Applicant: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: ADRIAN STANESCU, CONSTANTINE KOSTAKIS, MICHAEL RONALD BUTCHER
  • Publication number: 20170363133
    Abstract: A fastening system includes a fastener having a shank with a threaded portion and a head region disposed at an end of the shank and defining a retaining cavity in an end thereof. A clip includes a base region snap fit in the retaining cavity of the fastener and an anchor region for anchoring a wire harness, hose, cable sheath or other component.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 15, 2016
    Publication date: December 21, 2017
    Inventors: Marc L. FRIEDRICH, Martin K. SCOTT
  • Publication number: 20170363134
    Abstract: Self-sealing fasteners and associated building panels, systems, and methods are provided. In one aspect, a fastener includes an elongated fastener body with an external surface extending between the first end and the second end, and a coating material disposed on at least a portion the external surface. In another aspect, a fastener includes an elongated fastener body with an external surface extending between the first end and the second end, and a polymer annulus surrounding at least a portion of the external surface of the of the elongated fastener body at or adjacent the head of the fastener.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 16, 2017
    Publication date: December 21, 2017
    Applicant: Georgia-Pacific Gypsum LLC
    Inventors: Vincent B. Thomas, Jason G. Peace, Seth C. Glenn
  • Publication number: 20170363135
    Abstract: A fastener which comprises a tubular member, a sleeve, a spring, a shank, and an elongate head. A lower end portion of the shank extends through the tubular member to threadedly engage a lower part. The elongate head rotates within a slot in the upper end of the shank between a first position extending longitudinally of the shank so that it can receive an upper part to be attached to the lower part and a second position extending radially of the shank to prevent removal of the upper part. The shank is received within the sleeve and has a pair of slots in its upper end which are alignable with the shank slot. The sleeve is biased to an upper position by the spring, which is in the tubular member. When the sleeve is in a position wherein it is biased upwardly, the sleeve partially covers the shank slot to prevent rotation of the elongate head between the first and second positions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 21, 2016
    Publication date: December 21, 2017
    Inventors: Lambros Apostolopoulos, Brian Bortz
  • Publication number: 20170363136
    Abstract: A decorative cap and fastener for fastening a wheel to a hub of a vehicle are provided. The fastener includes a fastener head including an outer surface and an internal surface defining a cavity. The cap includes an end wall having an external surface and an internal surface. The cap further includes a side wall extending from an outer periphery of the end wall. The cap also includes a central member extending longitudinally from the internal surface of the end wall within the side wall.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 16, 2016
    Publication date: December 21, 2017
    Inventors: David S. LIU, Yilin LIU
  • Publication number: 20170363137
    Abstract: A method, process and machine to anchor objects to a surface using an encapsulated compound such as adhesive, expanding glue, hardening agent or other reactive and/or bonding substance intended for single use in a single anchor installation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 16, 2017
    Publication date: December 21, 2017
    Applicant: Dmarko Enterprises, LLC
    Inventors: David J. Markowicz, Bryan P. Scofield
  • Publication number: 20170363138
    Abstract: The present invention is directed at a wire-cage mountable multi-part fastener adapted for holding pet accessories. The fastener can be securely attached to a cage by mutually abutted fastener's female and male portions, from the inside and the outside of the cage, respectively. When said female and male portions are pressed into one other by threadable means while having the cage's bars sandwiched between them, the resulting friction allows the fastener to remain in a stationary relation to the cage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 16, 2017
    Publication date: December 21, 2017
    Inventor: Sharyn Kilpatrick
  • Publication number: 20170363139
    Abstract: An adhesive hook includes a base which has a bottom for fixing, an outer surface, and a hook provided at the outer surface. The bottom of the base is fixed on an external surface by means of an adhesive, and the adhesive is a curable adhesive. The structure of the adhesive hook is simple, and the curing speed of the curable adhesive is fast. After the curing process, the load bearing of the hook is larger than 1 Kg/cm2. Further, the adhesive hook has high cohesion strength after the adhesive is cured, and no remain is pasted on the external surface or the base after the hook is removed. The base can be recoated with new adhesive to reuse, which reduces cost and achieves recycling.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 6, 2017
    Publication date: December 21, 2017
    Inventor: Guanghe Wang